Nine countries join ‘Hague group’ as Belize backs Gaza genocide case
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Delegations from nine countries gathered in The Hague to unveil "coordinated legal, economic, and diplomatic measures" to hold "Israel" accountable for its violations of international law.
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A Palestinian walks past buildings that were destroyed by the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen at the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in the Gaza Strip, on January 28, 2025. (AP)
Belize has officially submitted a declaration to join South Africa’s genocide case against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), becoming the latest member of the "Hague Group" of nations advocating for Palestinian rights.
The court said in a statement on Friday, "On January 30, 2025, Belize, referring to Articles 62 and 63 of the Statute, filed in the Registry of the Court a document containing an application for permission to intervene and a declaration of intervention in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip."
Several countries have since joined the case against "Israel", forming the “Hague Group” in defense of Palestinians. These include Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, and Turkiye.
In a statement on Friday, the group expressed grief over the loss of lives, livelihoods, communities, and cultural heritage due to "Israel’s" genocidal actions in the besieged Gaza Strip, affirming its refusal to “remain passive” in the face of such international crimes.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine and supporting the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The statement urged international bans on supplying or transferring arms, munitions, and related equipment to "Israel" in cases where there is a clear risk of their use in violations of humanitarian law, human rights law, or the prohibition of genocide.
This comes after Cuba officially declared its intention to join South Africa’s genocide case against "Israel" on January 13.
The ICJ said in a statement, "Cuba, invoking Article 63 of the Statute of the Court, filed in the Registry of the Court a declaration of intervention in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip."
South Africa initiated legal proceedings against "Israel" in December 2023, accusing the occupation of violations of the Genocide Convention concerning Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
